Documents · United States
US passport photo size and requirements
For a US passport on paper (form DS-11 or DS-82, book or card), you need a printed 2 × 2 inch colour photo on matte or glossy photo paper. The head must measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, on a white or off-white background without shadows. Glasses are only allowed with a signed doctor's note, and a closed-mouth smile is fine.
Requirements
- Printed photo
- 50.8 × 50.8 mm (2 × 2 in)
- Head height
- 25.4 to 34.9 mm (1 to 1.37 in), chin to the top of the head
- Background
- Plain and even: white, off-white
- Glasses
- No glasses, unless needed for a medical reason
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed
- Selfies
- Not stated. A photo someone else takes is safest
- How recent
- Taken in the last 6 months
- Print sheets in PassPic
- 4 × 6 in, 10 × 15 cm, A4, Letter
Source: travel.state.gov, last checked 14 October 2026.
“The correct printed size of a passport photo is 2 x 2 inches”
Babies and young children
- A baby's eyes may be closed.
- The expression must still be neutral.
- A baby can lie on a plain sheet and be photographed from above.
Common mistakes
- A head that is too small or too large. It must be 25.4 to 34.9 mm (1 to 1.37 in), chin to the top of the head.
- A busy or uneven background, or one that isn't white or off-white.
- Wearing glasses without a medical reason.
- A smile with the mouth open, or any expression that isn't neutral.
- An old photo. It must be taken in the last 6 months.
- A photo that was retouched, filtered or had its background replaced.
PassPic can't measure some things, so check them yourself: glasses, head coverings and hair over the eyes.
How PassPic helps
PassPic checks your photo against these rules on your phone and marks each check Passed, Check or Fix, with a one-line tip. It crops and scales the photo to size and never changes your face or your background. Your photo is checked on your phone and never uploaded.
PassPic is coming to Google Play.
Related documents
We can't promise that any office will accept a photo; the issuing authority decides. Rules change, so read travel.state.gov before you send your photo. PassPic is an independent app. Not affiliated with any government.